Stormwater Utility Fee and Credits

To fund the efforts that keep the stormwater system fully operational, a Stormwater Utility fee is collected from Gwinnett County property owners. This fee is used to replace old pipes, reduce pollution, monitor water quality, and maintain the stormwater infrastructure. Much strategic planning and prioritization goes into decisions to allocate the funds received by the Stormwater Utility. The funds exclusively support the continual upkeep of the system to protect and preserve our community. To learn more about the activities under way to protect the County’s stormwater management system, check out our Stormwater Management page.

Fees are assessed according to the impervious surface area or stormwater “footprint” of each parcel, rather than property value. View the Stormwater Utility Ordinance for more information.

Locate Your Billing Information

Stormwater Utility fees can be found on your property tax bill, although they are not associated with property taxes. Visit the County GIS site below to view your property’s assessed surface area.

Find stormwater billing information on the web
Stormwater Utility Rate Structure Resolution

Appeals

If you feel that your Stormwater Utility fee has been incorrectly assessed, you may request a review or appeal.

Appeals Procedure
Staff Review Request Form
Administrative Appeal Application Form

Credits

There are many actions you can take as a Gwinnett County resident to reduce stormwater runoff and clean pollutants on your property. When you adopt stormwater Best Management Practices (BMPs) that reduce the burden on the community’s drainage system, you are eligible to receive fee credits.

Credits are available in two areas: Watershed Stewardship and Water Quality. The total maximum credit for any property is 40 percent, and once credits are processed, they are applied to the Stormwater Utility Fee on your property tax bill. Taking advantage of fee credits both protects water quality and saves you money.

Most Commonly Applied Credits

Some of the most commonly applied credits fall under the Watershed Stewardship category. They include:

• Septic tank maintenance: having your septic tank pumped out can earn you a 10 percent credit for five years
• County approved workshops and training programs: by learning to improve water quality or reduce stormwater runoff, you can earn a five percent credit every year that you participate in a workshop. Visit Events and Workshops to sign up for our next course
• Public participation: you can earn a five percent credit by participating in an activity like stenciling storm drains, a stream clean-up project, or passing an Adopt-a-Stream training course
• Rain barrels: rain barrels collect rainwater from rooftops, reducing the amount that goes into the system. By installing one at each downspout, you can earn a three percent credit. Learn more about rain barrels
• Automatic sprinkler sensors: if you install sensors to prevent automatic sprinklers from operating during rain events, you can earn a 10 percent credit for a one-year term

For more information and ideas for credits, see the Stormwater Credits Introduction.

For the full manual and details on credits, see the Stormwater Credits Manual.

How to Obtain a Credit

You can apply to the Department of Water Resources for Stormwater Utility service fee credits free of charge by using the form and instructions included below.

Stormwater Credits Application Form
Guide to Obtaining Existing Stormwater BMP Online Volume Certification
Underground Detention Credit Renewal

For assistance with Stormwater Credits, call 678.376.7193.